Hocker Grove Family Newsletter
April 1, 2024
SECTION 1: NEW/UPDATED INFORMATION THIS WEEK
A Message From Dr. Kase
Since the district communication about my selection as the next Director of Secondary Human Resources was announced on Monday of last week, word has started to trickle out even to students. While I am excited for this new chapter in my career, I am genuinely sad to be leaving Hocker Grove. This building and this community is special. In 22 years as an educator, 6 at Hocker Grove, I have never been in a place that means more to me. A large part of my positive experience here is due to families. From the caring people that volunteer to serve on our PTA and Site Council to the families that I've met with in my office or talked with at a Family Engagement Night, thank you for allowing me to be even a small part of your family's journey. My first group of 8th grade students walked across the stage at North's commencement ceremony last spring, and I will look forward to being in the audience for the next six years until this year's 7th graders are off into the world.
I have known the Hocker Grove community, especially families, to be so supportive, and I'm certain that will continue to be the case long after I'm gone. In an effort to ensure the process to select the next building leader can be most effective, the district has pushed out a survey to seek out community input. If you haven't already, please take a moment to provide have your voice heard. The survey can be found here. The deadline for completion is Tuesday, April 2.
Solar Eclipse 2024
We are one week out from Solar Eclipse Day 2024!! Many will remember the solar eclipse of 2017. I was lucky enough to be in Cape Girardeau, MO at the time, in the path of totality, and remember it as one of the coolest experiences I've had in education. To be on the football field with our entire school during this rare event was just awesome. It didn't seem like that long ago until I remember that our current 8th graders were in 2nd grade at that time!
The presentation that our teachers will use to prepare students for the eclipse can be found here. We have solar eclipse viewing glasses that will be free for every student and staff member, provided in combination with the Hocker Grove PTA and the SMSD Curriculum and Instruction Department. Our entire school will view this historic event during 5th hour.
PTA Spring Mixer
It's almost time for the Hocker Grove Spring Mixer on April 5th! We need some help from parents. We are looking for chaperones or if hanging out with middle schoolers on a Friday isn't your thing we need cookies too!
Our theme is A Night in the City. The cost of admission will be picked up by the Hocker Grove PTA this spring, allowing students to get into the mixer for free! Free cookies and water will also be available. Outside of ensuring that student attire is school appropriate, there is no guidance on type of attire (casual vs. formal) for this mixer.
Help us make the last mixer of the 2023-24 school year a blast by signing up at this link!
Contact Kristin if you have any questions at 913-223-4231 or kristinbwear@gmail.com
SM North Summer Athletic Camps
Shawnee Mission North has started releasing information about summer camps for athletics. Please use the QR code or just click the picture for information about summer camps. A few programs are still adding information. If you don't see information for your student's sport of interest, please check back later this spring as information is still being added.
Important Upcoming Dates
April 11 8th Grade Field Trip to North
April 12 No School- Building Professional Development
April 15 No School
April 18 Spring Open House 5:30-7:30pm
April 20- May 3 Math and Reading MAP
May 2 Honors and Awards Ceremony 7pm, SM North (By Invitation Only)
May 15 Sixth Grade Olympics/4th Qtr Celebration Day
May 23-28 Semester Finals
May 27 No School- Memorial Day
May 29 Last Day of School, 1:45pm Dismissal
Section 2: Previously Announced but Still Relevant Information
Eighth Grade Transition Trip to SM North
On April 11, All Eighth Grade students will participate in a field trip to Shawnee Mission North. This is our annual transition day to help students prepare for a smoother transition to that building next fall. They will participate in an assembly along with other fun activities, but more importantly, will have an opportunity to hear from the North Principal- Mr. Ewers, teachers, counselors, and students about tips for making their time in high school fulfilling and the greatest preparation for their post-secondary plans.
Since this trip involves transportation to and from SMSD buildings, no field trip permission slip will be sent home, but we do have an opt out option. If for any reason, you would like your eighth grade student not to attend the trip or if they will only be in attendance for part of the day, please email, Dr. Kase (ChrisKase@smsd.org) and Ms. Brents, (MelindaBrents@smsd.org) no later than April 5.
Reminders about Pickup/Dropoff for Car Riders
- When arriving to Hocker Grove, please use the Westbound lanes to turn right off Johnson Dr. Eastbound traffic turning left into the car rider line can cause Johnson Dr. to backup and become unsafe. This is especially true on Thursdays during late start time when traffic can get heavier.
- Car riders are asked to pickup and drop off on the west side (gymnasium side) of the building when the traffic is backed up in the car rider line to reduce the supervision needs for where students might be moving within traffic. This also helps our traffic flow. We are trying to prevent students getting in or out of cars on the south side (MPR side) of the building.
- When leaving the HG parking lot, busy arrival and departure times require a right turn only from the parking lot, toward Nieman Rd. This is important to help everyone get in and out of the parking lot quickly and ensures safety for all as we have had accidents when drivers try to turn left across traffic.
- Your administrator team appreciates the kind waves and "good morning" greetings when we're out directing traffic. It genuinely makes our morning. Thank you for your kindness and patience as we move 730 students into our building that arrive via car, bus, bicycle, and on foot.
Internet Hot Spots Available for Student Check-out
The Shawnee Mission School District has internet hotspots available for students to check out in the event they don't have reliable internet at home. It can be used for homework completion and in the event we should need to do remote learning dure to inclement weather, would allow students to access their classes from home. To apply for a hotspot, parents should follow the link here.
School Attendance
Now that we are a few weeks into the new semester, we're in a good window to remind families about the importance of regular school attendance. Chronic absenteeism, which involves a student missing more than 10% of the days school is in session, is a growing problem nationally and in Shawnee Mission.
National research shows:
- by 6th grade chronic absenteeism is a leading indicator of students not completing high school,
- students who attend school regularly are more likely to graduate high school and find good jobs,
- a student who misses 10 or more days per year (1-2 absences per month) of school is 25% less likely to enroll in college.
Regular school attendance matters. We appreciate all that you do to ensure students are in school regularly, understanding that there will be days students will be sick and need to stay home to rest. Shawnee Mission's Attendance policy requires letters to be mailed home when a student has missed 5 days, with additional letters mailed home at 7 and 10 days of absence. (Please note: absences excsued by a doctor's note do not count toward these days.)
Eagle Strut Fundraiser Thank You's
Academic Enrichment
Late buses run to take students home that want that option even if they aren't typically bus riders, but all students need to be registered with DS Bus in order to ride. That can be done here: https://www.smsd.org/families/transportation
Join the HG PTA
· Fund Teacher Grants Applications for materials not provided by the SMSD
· Provide support for school field trips
· Assist with events for student and family activities
· Host Staff Appreciation Events for our AMAZING faculty and staff
There is no wrong or right way to be involved – anything you can give, whether it’s time or money, will support your child’s potential. We invite you to join because we can do more together than apart. It only takes 5 minutes: https://hgms.new.memberhub.store/store
Hocker Grove Middle School
Email: ChrisKase@smsd.org
Website: hockergrove.smsd.org
Location: 10400 Johnson Dr, Shawnee, KS, USA
Phone: 913-993-0200
Facebook: facebook.com/HockerGroveMiddleSchool
Twitter: @HockerGroveMS